Mark 10:13-27 (NRSV)
Read Mark 10:13-27 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. Verse 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Verse 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." Verse 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
Verse 17As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Verse 18Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. Verse 19You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.'" Verse 20He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth." Verse 21Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." Verse 22When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Verse 23Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" Verse 24And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! Verse 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Verse 26They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" Verse 27Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible."
Devotion
It is intriguing to think of Jesus’ impatient responses in these two vignettes. In one he is indignant because disciples tried to prevent children from approaching. In the other Jesus expresses weariness at a man who just didn’t get it. What Jesus was talking about in both instances was behavior for followers. Openness and childlike disposition seem to be part of discipleship. So do adherence to the law and sharing and caring. It is also intriguing that these responses came as news to the disciples on the one hand and to the man on the other. One hopes that by now, disciples of
Christ have caught on and learned how to behave.
Prayer
For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times; for our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and need, we pray to the Lord. And for the faithful who have gone before us and are at rest, we pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. Amen.